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The Theta Tau Difference

The fellowship, academic support and personal growth our Brothers find in Theta Tau makes all the difference in their personal and professional success. We call that undisputed value The Theta Tau Difference. In addition to the desirable attributes of a general fraternity, Theta Tau offers a common bond: an interest in the pursuance of engineering in its various branches. It is more than just a club to which one belongs for a couple of years while a student. Membership in Theta Tau is for life. Not only is Theta Tau interested in developing academic skills, but it is also deeply involved in developing character. Character includes those qualities that make an individual distinguishable as a professional. Engineering is advancing so fast that technical knowledge is becoming obsolete at an ever‐increasing rate, but professional character remains regardless of an engineer’s career path.

Theta Tau’s chapters provide a program of activities to meet the social and professional needs of its members. A professional development program generally includes plant tours, speakers, workshops, and interaction with alumni. Social events often include picnics, parties, trips to other chapters, and intramural sports. Chapters have community service projects through which the college or needy residents benefit from the philanthropic and volunteer efforts of members. Most of all, Theta Tau encourages personal and professional growth.

Theta Tau differs from other organizations to which our members often belong. The Professional Fraternity combines the desirable features of general fraternities,technical societies, and honor societies to prepare its student members for the engineering profession and the lifetime ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fraternity?A fraternity offers its members a lifelong bond of brotherhood and activities to promote their educational objectives. A general characteristic of fraternities is that membership is by invitation only, membership is for life, and a ritual proclaiming the ideals of the organization is revealed to its members upon initiation. Fraternity members generally have a higher GPA and are more likely to graduate than the overall student body. A general fraternity can organize only the social life of its members, but as a professional fraternity, Theta Tau offers more: a common bond of interest in the pursuance of engineering in its various branches. Theta Tau along with twenty-five other groups representing various academic disciplines joined together in founding the Professional Fraternity Association in 1928. These groups offer so much more to our members than the commonly held (and often inaccurate) perspective of the greek system as a whole.

What is recruitment?
Recruitment (formerly known as rush) is a time set aside once or twice a year for students to meet fraternity members, learn about our brotherhood and decide if fraternity life is appropriate for them. Membership in a fraternity is voluntary and is the result of a mutual selection process.

What is the cost of membership in the Fraternity?Each Theta Tau chapter has fixed expenses including national and local dues, new member fees and housing fees (determined by the chapter). Additionally, there is a one-time initiation fee, and a membership badge must also be purchased. Duringrecruitment a detailed statement of member financial obligations will be provided.Membership dues go toward leadership training, program development, chapter maintenance and a lifetime subscription to The Gear, Theta Tau Fraternity’s magazine. We are proud now to have held fees and dues constant now for over two decades making membership affordable to virtually all students who may be interested in Theta Tau.

What is Theta Tau’s stance on hazing?
Theta Tau is clear and concise in its stance against hazing. Hazing is illegal; therefore it has no place in the Fraternity. Theta Tau holds its members to the highest possible standard, and no chapter, colony, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as: "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether located on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: Forced use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution, or applicable laws.”

What is Theta Tau’s perspective on alcohol & substance abuse?
Theta Tau expects its members to obey all laws and to abide by the Fraternity’s policies and standards. Theta Tau has strict guidelines for hosting any social event, and chapters are expected to provide a safe environment at all times for members and guests. If any policies are violated, Theta Tau will investigate and ensure that additional education and appropriate disciplinary measures are instituted to ensure policy adherence.

Honor Your Son or Daughter

By making a gift to the Theta Tau Educational Foundation, you are creating a lasting legacy and investing in the future of your son or daughter as well as the future of engineering leadership. Your generous tax-deductible gift in the name of your son or daughter will help Theta Tau Fraternity continue to flourish and provide scholarships to students and leadership training to all members.

Make a Donation and note "In Honor Of (your son or daughter’s name)" in the Donor Comments box.